Cricket: Chirk endure rare double defeat

Chirk suffered a rare double defeat at the weekend in the Shropshire County Cricket League.

The firsts, second in John Rees Division One and beaten just once previously this season, travelled to Bomere Heath, the Shrewsbury area village where former TV presenter and Blue Peter gardener Percy Thrower once lived.

Chirk won the toss and put the hosts into bat.

They were 45-5 and 75-7 at different stages, but recovered to set 140, Chris Stevens top-scoring for 30 before Andrew Swarbrick ran him out.

Best bowling for the visitors was recorded by Billy Swarbrick, who ended with superb figures of 4-20 off eight overs. Andrew Swarbrick claimed 2-29.

When Chirk batted, they found no ‘Throwers’ in the Bomere attack, just some very accurate bowlers who dismissed the Welshmen for 108.

Andrew Swarbrick was the leading away contributor with 24, Jamie Dean taking 3-19 and Andrew Oliver 3-38 for the hosts, who won by 32 runs and 20-6 on points.

Chirk seconds hosted Welshpool seconds in a Welsh derby in the Border division.

The Holyhead Road side were put into bat and ended up 123 all out in 34.3 overs, Dale Randall with 26, Liam Walker 24 and Connor Bailey 21, Neil Pryce collecting 2-14, Sam Cadwallader 2-17 and Daniel Cadwallader 2-18.

Welshpool reached 124-5 in 33.3 overs to seal a 20-3 points triumph, Ryan Preston the clear match-winner with 66.

For Chirk, Bailey returned sublime figures of eight overs, five maidens, two wickets for just three runs, Randall picking up 2-24.